Many have asked questions such as “Can I use IPL without shaving?” and “How to shave before IPL hair removal treatment?” We are here to shed some light by answering your questions and addressing some shaving misconceptions for women.
Like any form of laser hair removal or salon Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) procedures, you have to shave. It is not advisable to wax, epilate or pluck, because IPL hair removal treatment requires the hair to be intact with the hair follicle to be effective. Removing them entirely will render the treatment ineffective as the light emitted from the device can only travel to the hair follicle with the help of the hair in place!
For hair removal treatments with Shero C-IPL, you don’t have to shave every single time before using Shero. Only shave when the hair has grown longer than 3mm. Read how C-IPL works here.
Below are some shaving tips for women that you should know before you begin your at-home treatment with SHERO. These tips apply to shaving legs, arms, under arms, facial hair, even pubic hair!
1. Exfoliate Your Skin!
If you get ingrown hair easily, try exfoliating the skin during or after a warm shower. Dead skin cells and dirt can clog up your hair follicles and trap your hair under the skin. Use a gentle exfoliant without harsh chemicals or abrasive scrubs to minimize irritation.
Here are some local brands in Malaysia we love that sells some amazing gentle scrubs.
Handmade Heroes Body Scrub:
SUPER DUPER NOURISHING BODY SCRUB - ROSE PETALS
Hush Little Jane Face Cleanse/Exfoliate:
Rose + Chamomile Cleansing Powder
2.Never Dry Shave!
Do not DRY shave as that will irritate your skin and cause razor burns!
Shave only when your skin is moist or lubricated.
A good time to shave is right after a shower, as your skin will be free of excess oil and dead skin cells that can clog up your razor blade. Warm shower will help soften the hair and skin for a smoother shaving experience.
3. Apply a Gentle Shaving Cream or a Lubricating Gel
A smooth shave with lubricants and cream can cut down the frequency of shaving the same area over and over again and that in turn will reduce the chance of razor burn or irritation on the skin. There are not many options when it comes to shaving lubricants, try making your own shaving cream!
Here is how we make our own shaving lubricant:
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup aloe vera gel (scrap aloe vera from plant or use store bought aloe vera)
- 1/4 cup liquid castile soap (or melt 1oz in 1 cup water)
- 2 Tbsp sweet almond oil (can be replaced with coconut oil)
- 1/2 cup filtered water
- 10 drops essential oils of choice (avoid citric essential oils, such as lemon)
Directions:Mix all ingredients together and pour into a foam pump.
4. Shave in Short Strokes and With Light Pressure
Shaving in long strokes results in the razor pulling on your skin, your razor clogging and becoming inefficient and blunt. Shaving in short strokes protects the skin, prevents hair and shaving cream from clogging up the razor and gives a smoother shave.
Do not apply hard pressure on the skin while shaving to get a closer shave. Shave lightly to prevent nicks.
5. Shave in The Direction That The Hair Grows
This is to prevent ingrown hair. Shaving in the opposite direction of the hair growth will tend to tuck the hair into the skin, causing it to grow inwards.
6. Rinse With Water After Every Swipe!
The extra pressure and friction necessary to shave with a clogged blade may cause razor bumps and irritation. Rinsing after every swipe will give you a smoother shave! Rinsing your skin with cold water after shaving will reduce inflammation and irritation on the skin and close up the pores.
7. Store Your Shaving Razor in a Dry andAiry Place
It’s important to store razors in the right environment so that they will not rust as easily. Replace your razor when it appears to be rusting or feels dull against your skin.
8. Replace Disposable Razor After 5-7 Uses
Avoid using a blunt razor to minimize skin irritation. Better yet, opt for a more environmentally friendly razor such as wheat straw razor or reusable razors where the blade can be replaced.
Shaving before IPL hair removal treatment is necessary and important in order to achieve satisfying results and to make sure that each flash count from the hair removal treatment is used effectively.
However, many women are concerned about the downsides of shaving. Hence, we are here to clear up some common misconceptions about shaving, especially for women.
Common Misconceptions About Shaving For Women
1. Will Shaving Cause the Hair to Grow Thicker and Faster?
No, your hair will not grow thicker or faster after you shave. That is just a myth passed down from at least a century ago and the clinical studies have debunked it in 1928. The density of the hair and the rate of the hair growing back are tied to genes and hormones and have nothing to do with how you remove the hair.
“The reason why it looks and feels thicker is because unshaven hair has a finer tip. When you experience hair regrowth, you’ll see the coarser base and not the softer, thinner part that will eventually grow back.”- Healthline, 2019.
Also, you have nothing to worry about if you’re coupling shaving with IPL as IPL hair removal treatment will reduce the hair growth and stop the hair growth eventually and you wouldn’t need to be shaving as often anymore.
2. Will Shaving Give Me Chicken Skin?
Chicken skin a.k.a Keratosis Pilaris is a genetic condition. It’s harmless and is the result of a buildup of keratin, a hair protein in the pores. Read more on this condition here!
3. Pressing Hard on a Shaving Razor Will Give Me a Closer Shave
You probably have been doing this to get a closer and cleaner shave, but needing to press hard on a razor onto your skin will also mean that the razor has gone dull or the hair is not softened enough for a smoother shave.
Shave lightly to prevent nicks and razor burns and replace the disposable razor after 5-7 uses.
4. Can I Shave Over the Same Area More Than Once?
It is advisable to not shave over the same area multiple times as that will increase the chances of skin getting irritated or getting razor bumps.
5.Can I Just Use Soap and Water When Shaving?
It’s best to use something like a gentle shaving cream that has a moisturizing and nourishing factor while shaving.
Most of the soaps that we use are surfactants that only remove dirt and debris but lack the skin-softening and nourishing property. This will dry up the skin.
6.Shaving Will Cause Ingrown Hair
Shaving incorrectly may cause ingrown hair. Shaving in the opposite direction will tuck the hair into the skin; buildup of dead skin cells, thick dermal layer and dirt will also trap the hair in the skin. Knowing these will help you prevent ingrown hairs.
We hope these shaving tips will help you reduce your fears of ingrown hair and razor bumps. By understanding misconceptions and learning proper shaving care can help you be well prepared for your next IPL hair removal treatments.
Check out our SHERO C-IPL Permanent Hair Removal Handset here if you are ditching waxing and are looking for a new and effective way of hair removal!
Sources:
- https://www.gillettevenus.com/en-us/womens-shaving-guide/facts-and-myths/shaving-myths-debunked/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2151163/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/how-often-should-you-shave#tips
